Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly ready to exercise patience as he holds out for a move to Arsenal this summer.
The Sporting Lisbon star is one of the most in-demand strikers on the market this summer after his goalscoring exploits over the past two seasons.
The Swede has netted 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese outfit since signing from Conventry two years ago.
It is no secret that a new striker is the top priority for the Gunners this summer after three consecutive second-placed finishes in the Premier League.
United are also on the hunt for a new forward with Rasmus Hojlund having struggled since his big money move to Old Trafford.
Gyokeres may know United manager Ruben Amorim well from his time at Sporting but the player has his heart set on a move to Arsenal, according to Portuguese outlet Record.
Their report states that ‘patience is the word’ for the 27-year-old, who is ‘willing to wait until the end to see his dream of playing for Arsenal become reality.’
His price-tag has become a major stumbling block for any potential deal with Sporting trying to hold out for a significantly higher fee than the player’s camp claim was agreed
It is understood that Gyokeres and his team believe he reached a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting last summer that would see the club accept a fee in the region of €70m (£60m) including add-ons at the end of the season.
Gyokeres has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his contract, and club president Frederico Varandas has accused Gyokeres’ team of trying to ‘blackmail’ the Portuguese giants.
The Record report added on the issue: ‘The Nordic player’s agent, Hasan Çetinkaya, believes he can explain all the situations that are at the origin of the conflict, with evidence, so that Sporting fans also understand the player’s motives.
‘In this sense, Record has learned, the agent is keeping open the possibility of revealing, specifically, an audio message from Hugo Viana, in which he will confirm the gentlemen’s agreement to allow Gyokeres to leave for €60m + €10m, following the meeting held on September 19 last year.’
Gyokeres has reportedly threatened to go on strike after vowing to ‘speak at the right time’, and, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, he is ‘very upset’ with Sporting’s current stance and has made his feelings clear to the club’s hierarchy.
